If anyone is still reading this...

I've decided to continue the blog as a way to preserve memories. Resigning myself, not regretfully, to the fact that regular scrapbooking isn't part of this reality that Harold and I have joyfully chosen; I think that blogging is a suitable alternative to scrapbooking in many ways.

Blogging facilitates preservation of memories (allowing for extended journaling--which makes my wordy self happy) combined with pictures--and it's quicker. It is an undeniable benefit that blogging can be done between math problems or while I wait for the water to boil. Granted, it's not as pretty and I don't get to catch up on the "news" with fellow scrappers while we work; but that's a trade that I am willing to make for this season of my life. There's also the added benefit that grandparents, aunts & uncles, and friends we don't get to see very often can keep up with what's going on, if they want, even though my main goal is to preserve our days for my own sadly deficient memory.

I was going through some old photos and found this picture of Jonas wearing this shirt (taken about a year & a half ago). I had bought it for John Wesley about 7 years ago. Faded and nearly threadbare in some places, it finally made it's way down from John Wesley, to Cody, to William, and finally a couple years ago, to Jonas. A couple weeks ago, right after we got back from vacation, Jonas and I were doing our twice-a-year clothing perusal, and he held up this shirt. He said, "Mom, I've outgrown my favorite shirt." I asked him which shirt he meant, and he thrust it at me. For some reason, that made me feel so good.

Never a truer shirt sentiment was writ. Indeed, I *DO* have the best job in the whole wide world!